Responses to RAIB recommendations

RAIB made nine recommendations in its report, with recommendations 6 and 8 assigned to the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), the National Freight Safety Group (NFSG), and the Freight Technical Committee (FTC). RSSB has worked with relevant industry groups and stakeholders to develop appropriate outputs in response to the recommendations. 

In response to RAIB’s report, RSSB established a steering group to supervise two newly formed working groups. Each working group was assigned a recommendation. The groups had representation from the NFSG, the FTC, the Rail Wagon Association, Network Rail, RSSB, entities in charge of maintenance, and freight operating companies. RSSB also held a series of workshops to support cross-industry collaboration.

Figure 1: Cross-industry group structure

The ‘recommendation 6 working group’ developed Guidance Note – GMGN2697 Iss 1 Application of Entity in Charge of Maintenance Regulations (ECM), which was published in June 2025. The guidance note was available for industry consultation during January and February 2025. Consultation responses and comments were reviewed, addressed, and approved by the Rolling Stock Standards Committee during April 2025. It was also endorsed by the steering group. The remaining element that concerns practical implementation of the ECM regulations, which is not addressed by GMGN2697 Iss 1, is being covered by the response to recommendation 8.

The ‘recommendation 8 working group’ developed Technical Note – TN2323 Iss 1, Guidance on Wagon Maintenance related to recommendations from RAIB reports, which has been published. The working group, which is now overseen by the Wagon Condition Programme Board, is compiling a key wagon maintenance requirements (KWMR) document. The document will provide guidance and good practice in the application of wagon maintenance, aligned to the areas identified within recommendations 8 and 6, where practicable. Under the supervision of the Wagon Condition Programme, the scope of the KWMR has been broadened. In addition to responding to recommendation 8, it will be a guidance document that describes good practice for wagon maintenance and captures current industry knowledge and experience. The documents referenced in the technical note will be included in the development of the KWMR.

Recommendations 6 and 8 outputs are aligned to the Wagon Condition Programme (WCP) activities, a priority project from the freight sector’s Freight Safe Programme. The Llangennech Steering Group and the Wagon Condition Programme Board have endorsed the transfer of governance from the steering group to the board. This will ensure that all workstreams associated with recommendations 6 and 8 and the WCP are aligned, reduce duplication, and provide assurance that key areas are being suitably addressed. The Office of Rail and Road has been informed about the change of governance as part of a recommendations update issued in March 2025. The formal handover was completed in May 2025. 

This report responds to Recommendation 1. It clarifies the roles and responsibilities of staff in cases where on-track plant is travelling. 

• This report takes a human factors approach. It includes a procedure review, observations, and collaborative workshops with management and front-line staff. 
• This project supported the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Networking Group (M&EENG) in their response to Recommendation 1. 

This report responds to Recommendation 2. It uses learning from other incidents that involve on-track plant. Key stakeholders gave interviews and feedback. From this, it was clear the project must: 

• focus on gathering information, key learning points, and potential topics for training from similar past accidents
• make recommendations for learning and training material that can be developed and disseminated by industry.

This report responds to Recommendation 3. It provides the GB rail industry with a mechanism for assessing new technology to reduce the risk of on-track plant striking objects on or near the line.

• This report takes a human factors approach. It includes observations, a control and interface survey, a collaborative workshop, and a systematic human error reduction and prevention approach (SHERPA). 
• The project delivers a human factors error log (HFEL) and user guide to help Network Rail assess new technology and equipment. 

ISLG used a human factors approach to investigate causes of objects left on the line. It looked at three current methods, how they can be improved, and how to embed them. Learn more here.